Metropole Cinema
160 Victoria Street,
London,
SW1E 5LB
160 Victoria Street,
London,
SW1E 5LB
1 person
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Back then film & developing costs were high. Now I wish I had done more, a lot more, but I had no concept of the scale of the losses that would materialise – particularly in the West End and major cities.
I agree There seems to be no one anywhere who has any photos of the interior of this huge cinema from its heyday in the 60s! loved to have seen a picture of its 70mm screen etc
Would be nice to see shots of the box. Philips DP 70 dual gauge projectors were installed to screen the road shows. I wonder what was there before? Possibly Kalee 21 projectors. If only I had gone around photographing some of the many long lost London cinemas when I was there in the 70s and 80s.
I suggest The Venue opening date was not December, as in your text, but Weds 1 Nov 1978 from my own personal diary note, having attended the opening gig by Graham Parker and the Rumour.
I saw it there but cant remember how big the screen was in comparison to the Odeon Leicester Sq. Has anyone a phot of it or the interior with 70mm screen. How did it compare with The Astoria or Dominion for example?
By far the longest run at the Metropole during the roadshow era was Lawrence of Arabia, which transferred in from the Odeon Leicester Square after an eight week run there and played at the Metropole for a further 98 weeks (Feb 1963-Dec 1964). During this time it was the only place to see this film, which did not go on general release until April 1965.
Does anyone remember if the film Buckskin Lady starring Patricia Madina was shown at the Metropole, Victoria Street, London in 1957?
the leaded glass ceiling from the lobby/restaurant was rescued from the demolition and is now installed in the Bonneville Pub, Lower Clapton Rd, Hackney
Has anyone a photo of the 70mm screen from its use as a roadshow cinema?
Details and photographs of the Wultitzer organ:
http://www.ukwurlitzer.co.cc/2013.html
Thanks Guys for al the info.
Façade during conversion to a restaurant, auditorium had gone by this point:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5028623247/
more pix
View link
seen here in 2000
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/70182097/
The epic film “The Sand Pebbles” enjoyed a ‘Royal Premiere’ at the Metropole on April 5, 1967.
For more details on the premiere go to:
View link
Many thanks Ken.
Currently known as ASK Pizza Restaurant (using the former foyer space).
Does anyone know the name of the restaurant on the remains of the site of the Metropole?
I remember seeing Lawrence Of Arabia here on a giant 70mm projection screen in the ‘60s. I am sure the management turned up the heating to enhance the effect of the movie because there was a big rush for ice cream during the intermission. The cinema though seemed rather old and uncared for, which may have suited the period setting of the movie, bit did not auger well for its future. Comfortable as many old movie old palaces were in a decaying sort of way. Part of a lost era I suppose.
Noel Coward’s “Brief Encounter” starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. Directed by David Lean (GB) 1945
A short sequence in this movie was filmed in the auditorium of the Metropole Cinema in May 1945. The couple are sitting in the front circle and are watching a trailer to a movie “Flames of Passion” (not a real movie). The organist (played by Irene Handle) is seen on the Wurlitzer organ at the intermission and there is glimpse of the lower part of the proscenium arch. No exterior shots of the Metropole are in the film, although some may have been filmed that went to the cutting room floor.
Although the auditorium has now been demolished there is still some of the original splendour of the 2 story high lobby to be seen in the restaurant that uses this space.
According to some info from this website. http://home.clara.net/gw0hqd/brief/
The interior was used to film a sequence from the classic british film ‘ Brief Encounter’ .
The facade as pictured and ‘dressing rooms’ area at the rear of the cinema remain standing and can be clearly seen from the street. It would be interesting to discover if any other part of the cinema has been left intact.